The Infant Jesus as Victor over Sin and Death

Francisco Camilo drew from works by artists such as Hieronymus Wierix and Rubens for his treatment of this allegorical subject, where he uses various symbols to represent Christ as victor over sin and death. In this case, Christ is shown as an infant to symbolize his humanity or the power of reincarnation while holding onto a cross, symbol of his ultimate sacrifice, and stepping on a snake (sin) and a skeleton (death). Together, they represent the essential tenet of Christianity--that God sent Jesus to the world to redeem humanity from sin and death.